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The Academy Awards were great, except for that one thing that wasn’t

Let’s hear it for the Oscars. On the whole, America’s premier awards show bellied up to the bar and provided three plus hours of quality entertainment. Ellen DeGeneres ordered pizzas and took a group selfie that a few people liked, Gravity swept nearly every minor award and Leonardo DiCaprio went home empty handed once again. By most measures, it was a grand old night to honor the stars.

Except for one undeserving winner. “Let it Go” taking Best Original Song is straight up bollocks, as folks across the pond might say. (Not that there are any ties to the United Kingdom in this story, the word just popped into my head and had to be released into print.)

Take a look at the lyrics to “Let it Go”. Concealing your feelings, leaving the past in the past, fighting for individuality in a climate of uniformity… Okay, maybe these guys are onto something. Is it catchy? Not to me, but I’m sure pre-pubescent children would beg to differ. The beat is forgettable, the vocals are decent. Much like Frozen itself, the song rings true with a distinct candor not seen in many other children’s films.

Even so, I don’t think they should carry the hardware for Best Original Song. I’ll keep my rebuttal short and sweet; Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”.

It’s a song I included before in a Music Tuesday post, and so hopefully you’re familiar with the silky smooth stylings and upbeat rapport of the music. It may not deliver the lyrical message carried by “Let it Go”, but it’s easier on the ears than a springtime stroll through Central Park, and the words are still acceptable for audiences of all ages.

“Happy” was originally written for Despicable Me 2, but has been given plenty of run as a standalone product in recent months. Who can’t get on board with a song that talks about feeling happy? Communists, that’s who.

So sure, one could make a case for “Let it Go” to win best original song because of the poignant lessons it teaches, but that should only be one piece of the musical puzzle. In every other aspect of the word, “Happy” beats “Let it Go” to a frilly pulp. And, last I checked, music was an auditory medium.